Indore: BJP stands behind Suraj Kero for now

Mayor Malini Gaud, MLAs Ramesh Mendola, Mahendra Hardia and other BJP leaders went to the district jail on Tuesday morning and met Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) mayor-in-council (MiC) member and revenue department head Suraj Kero, former corporators Rajendra Soni and Kailash Yadav and other officers who had been sent to judicial custody in connection with the Meghdoot Garden scam.

Mayor Malini Gaud, MLAs Ramesh Mendola, Mahendra Hardia and other BJP leaders went to the district jail on Tuesday morning and met Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) mayor-in-council (MiC) member and revenue department head Suraj Kero, former corporators Rajendra Soni and Kailash Yadav and other officers who had been sent to judicial custody in connection with the Meghdoot Garden scam.

The visit by the leaders sent out a clear signal that the mayor and other BJP leaders were behind Kero.

There was speculation that Kero, who is supported by BJP national general secretary and state urban administration minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, would be eased out of his post in the IMC after being sent to jail.

While talking to Hindustan Times, Malini Gaud said the charges against Kero had not been proved and he would remain in the MC till the judgment came and he was found guilty.

She said prima-facie it did not appear that Kero had done anything wrong.

Asked how the crucial revenue department would run now that Kero was in jail, the mayor said the entire BJP would run the department together. Mendola and Hardia too spoke in Kero, Yadav and Soni’s support.

Mendola said they were consulting lawyers to decide the next course of action.

City BJP president Kailash Sharma said Kero, Yadav and Soni were public representatives and charges like this were often levelled against them. However, he added that the party would accept whatever verdict the court gave.

Meanwhile, according to sources, Kero, Yadav and Soni had appealed to the high court for bail and a hearing might take place tomorrow or day after.

Sources said when the chargesheet was presented before the special court on Monday, it was widely expected that all the accused would be given bail, but the judge decided otherwise and sent them to jail.

The sentence came late and there was no time to rush to the high court and appeal for bail.